September 13, 2013

Colby Lewis says top choice is to return to Rangers

Colby Lewis is in good spirits three weeks after right hip
resurfacing surgery. It’s quite a feeling for Lewis to bend over and tie his
shoes pain free.

But it remains to be seen how Lewis will bounce back on the
mound. He’s been out all season, trying to come back from flexor tendon surgery
in his right elbow and having his rehab derailed by various setbacks.

About this time last year, after Lewis had undergone the
flexor tendon surgery, the Rangers signed Lewis to a major-league,
incentive-laden contract worth a base salary of $2 million.

Lewis, 34, is a free agent again after the season, and expressed
his desire to stay with the Rangers. He considers Arlington his second home, although
acknowledged that he is likely in line for a minor-league deal.

“It’s one of those things we’re going to have to weigh in
the off-season,” Lewis said. “I don’t put it past a split contract where this
is what you make on the minor-league side. You get called up, this is what you
make on the big-league side. It’ll probably be incentive based. That’s probably
how it’ll play out.”

The Rangers have a history of taking chances on pitchers
returning from injuries such as Lewis, Brandon Webb, Jason Jennings, Roy Oswalt
and Rich Harden.

Lewis said he and the team haven’t had any formal
discussions about a contract yet, but made it clear that he would like to
return.

“I’d love to come back,” said Lewis, who would like to reach
the 10-year mark in service time to receive a full pension.